The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Telangana): In a remarkable achievement, Woxsen University has secured grants totaling 45 lakhs for three ground-breaking ideas at the MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0 (Women), conducted by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under the MSME Innovative Scheme. The university’s Trade Tower, officially approved as an MSME Host Institute/Business Incubator, has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and faculty.
The MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs, witnessed an overwhelming response with 18,888 ideas submitted from across the country. Among these, 7,519 ideas were selected and uploaded by Host Institutes (HIs), and 5,676 ideas were sent to the Domain Expert Selection Committee (DESCs) for review. After a rigorous filtering process, the Project Monitoring & Advisory Committee (PMAC) approved 397 ideas for funding.
Woxsen University, as a Host Institute in the Telangana region, received a total of 49 ideas, out of which 10 were selected for presentation. Five ideas were recommended for funding, with three ultimately securing grants of 15 lakhs each. The winning ideas showcase the university’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
The first winning idea, “Indian Craft Connect,” is an AI and AR-based platform for artisans and buyers, conceptualized by Avani Reddy, a BBA student at Woxsen University. The platform aims to bridge the gap between artisans and buyers, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Indian crafts while leveraging modern technology. Avani expressed her excitement and gratitude upon receiving the funding, acknowledging the guidance and mentorship provided by the university and its Trade Tower as instrumental in her journey.
The second winning idea, “Bandha – Empowering wellness through mindful movement,” is the brainchild of Ar. Dhruma Bhavsar, an Associate Professor at Woxsen University. Bandha utilizes leftover Indian fabrics to produce eco-friendly, reusable, and culturally significant yoga gear, promoting sustainability and wellness.
The third winning idea, “Carbon Accounting & Mitigation Platform,” is led by Charu Dhyani, Co-Founder & CEO of Pro Zero Carbon & Wudbox. This organization strives to democratize ESG & Sustainability by empowering corporates and institutions to measure, track, and improve their sustainability metrics and achieve decarbonization goals.
Dr. Daya Shankar, Dean-School of Sciences and Head of Trade Tower at Woxsen University, expressed his pride in the achievements of the students and faculty, stating, “I feel incredibly proud of our student and faculty for securing this MSME grant. It’s a testament to the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive we foster at Woxsen. This achievement empowers them to make a tangible impact on the Indian economy.”
The jury for the MSME Idea Hackathon consisted of both external and internal committee members from various areas of expertise. The internal committee at the Host Institute (HI) level included Dr. Daya Shankar; Dr. Beauty Pandey, Associate Professor at Woxsen University; Mr. Manoj Kumar, Founder & CEO of Bada Ghar Wala Technologies; Dr. Zahoorullah SMD, Founder & CEO of Dr. Z Labs; and Ashok Tankala, Freelance Tech Advisor & Ex-Director of CarDekho.
Woxsen University’s success at the MSME Idea Hackathon 3.0 (Women) highlights the institution’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and faculty. By providing a dedicated space within the university and assigning qualified mentors, Woxsen University aims to offer guidance and support to budding entrepreneurs, enabling them to transform their ideas into viable businesses.
The grants received through the MSME Idea Hackathon will provide the necessary financial support for the winning ideas to be developed and implemented, contributing to the growth of the Indian economy and promoting sustainability and innovation in various sectors.